I got an e-mail a few days ago reminding me not to ever share the call-in numbers for coaches’ teleconferences with others who might not make good use of the occasion. Obviously, this was in response to an incident earlier this week in which prank callers invaded the SEC women’s coaches’ teleconference.

The prank callers, who were claiming to be legitimate reporters from actual media outlets, managed to get on and ask at least six questions to more than half of the league’s 12 coaches. The questions were graphic in nature and included inquiries about coaches having sexual relations with players and players’ performances based on their menstrual cycles.

“It was a little surreal,” said Wilson, who was moderating the call between the media and the head coaches.

“The very first question that was asked, honestly, I thought this was some crazy media person who was trying to ask a question and didn’t know quite how to ask it,” she said.

Tom Collen, the Arkansas coach who was asked the first faux question, also seemed to think something similar because he responded to it as if it were a legitimate question.

Well, the Big East had its men’s coaches’ teleconference Thursday and, of course, it happened again. Marquette’s Tom Crean was up first and he was victimized a few minutes in by a rather juvenile question not fit for print — not even here!

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…” a puzzled Crean said.

The caller hung up and the moderator, associate commissioner for communication John Paquette, moved on. The next caller was legitimate and asked Crean how he was doing.

“I’m a little stunned by the last call. It just dawned on me. John, that’s got to be the first prank call in Big East history. I’m part of history, so that’s good,” Crean said.

We can only assume it was a first. It was not the last…

A few moments later, Crean was had again and Paquette allowed Crean to leave before things got worse.

“Good luck to the next coach getting through this,” Crean said as he signed off.

That next coach was West Virginia’s Bob Huggins and the first call was a prank. Paquette intervened and announced he’d approve or dismiss every question in the queue based on whether or not Paquette was familiar with the person. He nixed three before approving the fourth, who said he was from the Newark Star Ledger, a paper that covers both Seton Hall and Rutgers in the Big East. It was another prank. This went on deep into the call and the pranksters eventually started using the names of national reporters to slip through Paquette’s filter. Paquette wasn’t buying it, though, which may or may not have infuriated Bill Conlin, one name Paquette denied.

I think there’s a place for prank calls, but clearly, there is a potential epidemic on our hands here. I blame commend point to the Simpsons for this trend.

Moe: [answering the phone] Flaming Moe’s. 
Bart: Uh, yes, I’m looking for a friend of mine. Last name Jass. First name Hugh. 
Moe: Uh, hold on, I’ll check. [calling] Hugh Jass! Somebody check the men’s room for a Hugh Jass! 
Man: Uh, I’m Hugh Jass. 
Moe: Telephone. [hands over the receiver] 
Hugh: Hello, this is Hugh Jass. 
Bart: [surprised] Uh, hi. 
Hugh: Who’s this? 
Bart: Bart Simpson. 
Hugh: Well, what can I do for you, Bart? 
Bart: Uh, look, I’ll level with you, Mister. This is a crank call that sort of backfired, and I’d like to bail out right now. 
Hugh: All right. Better luck next time. [hangs up] What a nice young man.